SQL and MySQL clustering solutions with secure servers

What is SQL clustering?

When two or more servers are configured to operate as a single virtual SQL server to support database transactions, this is a type of clustering called SQL (Structured Query Language) clustering.

Another clustered server will automatically take over should one SQL server fail in the cluster, keeping downtime to minutes rather than hours or days as in normal circumstances.

What is MySQL clustering?

99.999% availability is offered with full MySQL clustering, and provides both failover resilience and increased database performance. Mission critical projects where downtime, of any length, is unacceptable are what MySQL clustered solutions are ideally suited for.

Because data is not stored on the hard disk and is stored in the server's main memory (RAM), database transactions can be processed exceptionally quickly. Three or more nodes which are configured to operate as a single virtual MySQL server are required for clustering.

A typical configuration, known as a management node, would have two load balanced Web/MySQL servers and a third MySQL server.

No single point of failure is provided with MySQL clustering, with the added advantage of geographical flexibility. If a customer requires, they can opt to have their environment clustered across data centres using shared or private IP LAN or VLAN for additional redundancy.

Clustering methods

These are the two primary clustering methods:

• When both servers in the cluster process the transactions typically at 50% of the total resources, this is known as Active-Active.
• When only one server in the cluster processes the transactions and the second server only processes transactions if the first server fails, this is known as Active-Passive.

Why is clustering needed for SQL or MySQL servers?

• The nodes in the cluster are handled as one single system, making them easy to manage and administer because.
• The expansion of a cluster as a clients company grows is allowed due to scalability.
• No single point of failure is provided due to high availability. This means that there is no downtime for any of your sites, as if a node fails, the next server will back it up.
• Work is spread evenly between the nodes in a cluster because of load balancing, allowing all of the websites to be quicker.

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